System For Event Timing and Photography Using Image Recognition of a Portion of Race-Day Attire

ABSTRACT

A system for identifying and timing an athlete during a timed sporting event. The athlete is timed using image recognition technology in which one or more images of the athlete taken during the sporting event by a camera (106a, 106b, or 106c) is time-stamped to generate a finish time for the athlete. The athlete is identified by comparing one of the images taken during the sporting event with a profile image of the athlete.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.17/399,802, filed Aug. 11, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 17/020,619, filed Sep. 14, 2020; which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/594,035, filed Oct. 6,2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,789,480; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/101,926, filed Jun. 5, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.10,489,655; and claims the benefit of the filing date of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/US2014/67839, filed Nov. 30, 2014, entitled“System and Method For Event Timing and Photography.” InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/US2014/67839 claims the benefit of: U.S.Application No. 62/006,125, filed May 31, 2014; and U.S. Application No.61/913,895, filed Dec. 9, 2013; all of the above referenced applicationsare incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to improvements in systems for timing andphotographing a participant in an athletic event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During an athletic event such as a marathon or a triathlon, a timingcompany will require a participant to wear a bib number in order toidentify the participant at the finish line. Often times, the numberbecomes torn or obscured, particularly during triathlons, leading to adelay in results as unidentified individuals are identified throughother means. Some systems rely on a timing chip to identify aparticipant and associate a finishing time with the participant, whichis a dedicated chip for use with a race time system. The chip istypically worn by the athlete, or attached to the back of a bib number.Occasionally the timing chip becomes lost, for example, during thetransition of a triathlon when an athlete is taking off their wetsuit.What is needed is a system and method that enhances the ability toidentify participants in athletic events and lessen the problemsassociated with conventional systems.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure in one aspect sets forth a timing system whichdoes not require the use of a bib number system or timing chip. Inparticular, in a preferred embodiment, the system may be utilised totime a participant using only the images of the participant captured atthe start and the finish. This advantageously eliminates the need forbib numbers and/or timing chips, which can become cumbersome to useduring the race, particularly in events such as triathlons where theparticipant is expected to swim prior to biking and running.

The present disclosure in another aspect sets forth a system foridentifying and timing an athlete during a timed sporting event in whichthe athlete is participating. The system includes an image collectiondevice for digitally capturing an image of an athlete. The systemfurther preferably includes a media database for storing images capturedby the image collection device. The system also preferably includes aprocessor configured to compare a profile image of the athlete stored inthe media database with an image of the athlete captured during thesporting event and stored in the media database, the processor beingconfigured to assign a time with the athlete's performance in thesporting event based on the comparison between the profile image and theimage captured during the sporting event.

In another preferred aspect, the present disclosure sets forth a systemfor matching unpublished media content created by a third party at anathletic event with a participant in the event. The system preferablyincludes an electronic database for maintaining a plurality of userprofiles of users registered to access the database, each user profileincluding a profile image of the user. The system further preferablyincludes a processor configured to receive the unpublished media contentcreated at the athletic event, compare the unpublished images from theathletic event with the profile images of the registered usersmaintained by the database, and generate a match list of participantswhose images appear in the unpublished media content created at theathletic event and who are registered users.

The processor may be configured to send the match list to the thirdparty, and receive from the third party at least one link linking amatched registered user with the digital image showing the registereduser's image. The processor may be configured to permit a registereduser access to the digital images if the registered user is listed onthe match list. The listing of participants may include a link for eachlisted participant to the digital images, each link being tagged withdata identifying the participant. The digital image may consist of oneor more photographs of the participant. The processor may be configuredto send an electronic communication to a registered user to notify theregistered user that the digital image showing the registered user'simage is available for viewing by the registered user, the electroniccommunication being sent to the registered user based on contact detailsstored in the user profile. The processor may be configured to direct aregistered user who appears on the match list to a payment gateway sothat the registered user may purchase the digital image tagged with theregistered user. Each user profile may be configured to maintain digitalimages purchased by the registered user associated with the userprofile.

In another preferred aspect, the present disclosure sets forth a methodfor matching unpublished digital images created by a third party at anathletic event with a participant in the event. The method includesstoring a profile image of a user in a user profile stored on anelectronic database; receiving a plurality of unpublished digital imagescreated by the third party at the athletic event, each unpublished imageincluding at least one participant in the athletic event; anddetermining, with a processor, whether the participant in theunpublished image is the user by comparing the profile image of the userwith the participant in the unpublished image.

The determination may be made using facial recognition technology. Themethod may further include generating a list of registered users whoparticipated in the athletic event where the unpublished digital imageswere created, and comparing the profile images of the registered userson the generated list with the unpublished images created at theathletic event to determine whether the participant in the unpublishedimage is the user. The determination may be made without using a bibnumber. The determination may be made only using facial recognitiontechnology. The method may further include sending a communication to aregistered user who has been identified as a participant in at least oneof the unpublished images, the communication including a link to apayment gateway. The method may further include providing the registereduser who has been identified as a participant in at least one of theunpublished images an opportunity to purchase the image online.

As used herein, “configured” includes creating, changing, or modifying aprogram on a computer or network of computers so that the computer ornetwork of computers behave according to a set of instructions. Theprogramming to accomplish the various embodiments described herein willbe apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing thepresent specification, and for simplicity, is not detailed herein. Theprogramming may be stored on a computer readable medium, such as, butnot limited to, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium (forexample, hard disk, RAM, ROM, CD-ROM, USB memory stick, or otherphysical device), and/or the Cloud.

It will be appreciated that in one or more embodiments, the system mayinclude one or more work stations at a back end for use by a platformoperator, one or more local client computers for access by users, and acommunications network that facilitates communication between theplatform, the work stations at the back end, and the client computers.Preferably, the work stations and client computers will include adisplay and means for entering information, such as a Graphic UserInterface (GUI), a keyboard and/or voice activated data entry. Means foraccessing the platform by users may include, but is not limited topersonal computers and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones,and other user devices capable of communicating over a communicationsnetwork utilizing the Internet.

As used herein, a third party is a person or business entity (e.g.,company or sole proprietorship) that provides content on a commercialbasis. It will be understood that the term “during” when used todescribe the participation of an athlete or user in a race, competitionand/or sporting event includes the time from the start up to andincluding the finish of the athlete or user in the race, competition orsporting event, unless that athlete or user drops out (does not finish).Races, competitions and/or sporting events may include, but are notlimited to running races, bike races, swim meets, triathlons, duathlonsand other competitions pitting an individual or team against otherindividuals or teams. Unpublished images or media content includesimages not released for general publication by a media content provider(e.g., person or business entity supplying digital images on acommercial basis). For example only, images may be in an unpublishedstate by keeping the images inaccessible to non-commercial entities orpeople, for example, by having a closed database of images notaccessible over the internet.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed, unless otherwisestated. In the present specification and claims, the word “comprising”and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each ofthe stated integers, but does not exclude the inclusion of one or morefurther integers. The claims as filed with this application are herebyincorporated by reference in the description.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of one or more forms of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram of system components in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the system of FIG. 1 shown along a racecourse of a sporting event.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of an athlete crossing the finish of the racecourse of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for timing an athlete in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a preferred embodiment of a graphical user interface for usein generating a media portal permitting a user to access and purchasemedia content.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for matching unpublished imagescreated by a third party at an athletic event with a participant in theevent in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of theinvention, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of a system 100 having aprocessor 102, an electronic database 104, and at least one digitalimage collection device 106. In use, a digital profile image of a useris captured and stored in electronic database 104. The user participatesin a sporting event, such as a running race, and has a commencementimage captured by digital image collection device 106. As the user isfinishing, a finish image is captured by another digital imagecollection device 106. The images captured during the sporting event arecompared with the profile image to identify the participant in theimages from the sporting event as that of the user. The commencement andfinish images are preferably time stamped so that the user's time isdetermined by a comparison of the commencement and finish images. Thepreferred elements of system 100 and their interrelationship aredescribed below.

Referring to FIG. 1, system 100 is preferably a stand-alone system whichmay be in communication with the internet if desired. Processor 102 maybe in the form of a microcomputer such as a laptop computer. Processor102 preferably includes a microchip, such as a System on Chip (SoC),with appropriate control circuitry. Processor 102 preferably includesimage recognition technology so that images may be compared with eachother to ascertain a match. More preferably, processor 102 includesfacial recognition technology for comparing facial images ofindividuals. Examples of suitable recognition algorithms include 3-Dmodelling, geometric and/or photometric approaches, linear discriminateanalysis (LDA), system vector machine (SVM), pattern matching, dynamiclink matching, and/or elastic bunch graph matching. The details of imagerecognition technology would be appreciated by those of ordinary skillin the art and are therefore not repeated here for simplicity.

Electronic database 104 is preferably configured with a plurality ofuser profiles 108 with fields for user identification data such as name,address and contact details (electronic and telephone). Each userprofile 108 preferably includes a provision for a digital profile image110 for association with each user.

System 100 further preferably includes at least one digital imagecollection device 106. Digital image collection device 106 may be anydevice configured to capture a digital image, such as, but not limitedto a camera, for example, a stand-alone digital camera, or a videocamera; a device having an integrated or component camera, such as atablet computer, a laptop computer, or a mobile communications devicesuch as a smartphone. Digital images captured by the digital imagecollection device may be stored on a computer-readable storage mediumassociated with processor 102 (for example, hard disk, server, Cloud);and/or a computer-readable storage medium associated with the digitalimage collection device; and/or a separate, transferablecomputer-readable storage medium (for example, flash drive (USB) ordisc). Images may include static images or frames from a video.

Digital image collection device 106 may be adapted for depth-detectionand may include a laser and/or a 3-D rangefinder to facilitate depthdetection.

In use, a user registers for a sporting event such as a triathlon. Theregistration may be in person or over the internet. If in person, theuser provides their identification data and a digital image is capturedof the user while at the registration area. The user's identificationdata and digital profile image are loaded into database 104.

Alternatively, the user may register for a sporting event using anonline registration platform. In this situation, the user provides theiridentity data into predefined fields and uploads a profile picture todatabase 104. The user may make a payment as part of the registrationprocess. Once the user has established their profile on database 104,the user may attend and compete in the sporting event.

Referring to FIG. 2, at the sporting event, a digital image collectiondevice 106 a is preferably positioned adjacent or nearby a starting line112. At least a second digital image collection device 106 b ispreferably positioned adjacent or nearby a finish line 114. A thirddigital image collection device 106 c may be positioned somewhereintermediate the start and the finish if desired. In use, the usercommences the race and crosses starting line 112. Digital imagecollection device 106 a captures a digital image of the user andpreferably assigns or associates a time with the image, for example, bytime-stamping the image. The time may be time of day or over-all racetime. While traversing race course 116, the user may be directed througha photo zone 118 so that another digital image may be captured usingdigital image collection device 106 c. A split time may be assigned withthe image if desired. As the user crosses the finishing line, digitalimage collection device 106 b preferably captures a finish image of theuser, which is assigned or time-stamped with a finish time by eitherimage capture device 106 or processor 102. The finish time may be thesame as that shown or displayed on race time clock 120 (preferablymanaged by a timing company), or may be a time of day.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, system 100 may be configured toidentify and track a wearable device on the athlete so that as theathlete participates in the sporting event, the system will track theathlete's position along the course. Examples of wearable devicesinclude, but are not limited to, a timing chip, a smartphone, a watch124, a device insertable in a shoe, and eyewear 126. Watch 124 mayinclude GPS circuitry and/or a wireless radio transmitter for networkWi-Fi communications and/or peer-to-peer communications, as will befurther described below. Where the user elects to use their own device(and not a timing chip provided by a timing company), they may registerthe device (e.g., provide the device identification to the timingcompany) prior to commencement of the sporting event. Thereafter, acommunications interface forming part of the system may be used tocollect data via a communications means such as satellite, cellulartechnology, NFC, WLAN, and/or peer-to-peer communications (e.g.,Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi Direct) from the athlete as the athlete movesalong the course. The athlete's participation data may be directlyuploaded into the system from the athlete's own personal device. Wherethe wearable device utilises a peer-to-peer technology such as Bluetoothand/or Wi-Fi Direct, sensors 128 with appropriately configuredtransceivers may be positioned along the course as appropriate for thecommunications range of such devices. Examples of suitable sensorsinclude Bluetooth beacons. The details of Bluetooth beacons would beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art and are therefore notrepeated here for simplicity.

If desired, a secondary means of identification may be used to identifyan athlete. For example, system 100 may include a digital footrecognition mat 130 configured to capture an image of the bottom of anathlete's shoe for comparison with an image stored on database 104. Thebottom of a shoe, unless brand new, will show the wear pattern of anathlete. Mat 130 preferably contains a sensor network which is adaptedto capture images of multiple athletes as they step on the mat. Thetread pattern of the particular brand of shoe, combined with the wearpattern of the wearer, provides a reasonably reliable means ofidentification of the athlete wearing the shoe. Other secondaryidentification means may include a registered personal device (e.g.,watch, smartphone, eyewear, etc.) such as described above, a timingchip, and/or race number.

Referring to FIG. 3, image collection devices 106 may be arranged in avariety of positions to optimally capture an athlete's image. Forexample, a series of alternating cameras 106 b may be positioned alongan elevated or overhead position at or proximate finish 114 to captureforward, overhead and/or rear perspective views of an athleteapproaching and crossing the finish. Additional cameras may bepositioned medially and/or laterally (left and/or right) of the finish,and/or forward of the finish. It will be understood that similar cameraarrangements may be used at the start or at any place along a coursewhere the athlete travels.

It will be appreciated that it is not always practical to position animage collection device directly in the path of an oncoming athlete.Processor 102 may be configured with one or more recognition algorithmssuitable for side, or angled side profiles. Such algorithms may bemodified to compare the distance between a point on the ear (e.g.,concha or lobule) and a point on the eye (e.g., iris), and/or thedistance between a point on the ear and a point on a nose (e.g., tip),and/or a ratio comparing the distance between a point on the ear and eyeand the distance between a point on the ear and the nose. Where opposedcameras are used to capture left side, right side and/or obliqueprofiles of the athlete, the images captured by each camera may eitherbe individually analyzed, or more preferably, merged to generate acomposite image which is analyzed.

Where multiple image collection devices are utilized, the imagecollection devices may be adapted to form a wired or wirelesspeer-to-peer network with each other and/or with processor 102. Forexample, each camera 106 b shown in FIG. 3 may include a radiotransceiver configured for Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi Direct communicationswith other cameras and/or processor 102.

The user's total race time may be determined by comparing thecommencement image with the finish image and comparing the timesassociated with each image (i.e., subtracting the commencement time fromthe finish time of the user). Each participant may be identified bycomparing at least one of the sporting event images with a profile imageusing image recognition technology. Preferably the determination isconducted without the use of bib numbers or timing chips. Morepreferably, the identification is made using solely the images of theathlete. Most preferably, the images are matched with users using facialrecognition technology, the details of which would be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art. If desired, more than one categoryof features may be used as part of the image recognition process. Forexample, facial features and at least one non-facial feature may be usedto identify a user in a digital image captured during the sportingevent. For example, a portion of an article of clothing may be used incombination with a facial feature to assist in identifying a user as aparticipant.

Other personal features may be used to identify an athlete in instanceswhere the face may be partially or totally obscured. For example, headdimensions (for example, the distance between the ears), the distancebetween the ends of the shoulders, and/or general body shape (forexample, torso width and/or body height) may be used to help identify anathlete.

Having described the preferred components of system 100, a preferredmethod 200 for timing an athlete participating in a sporting event willnow be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The method preferablyincludes the step 202 of capturing a digital profile image of theathlete prior to commencement of the sporting event with an imagecollection device such as a camera. Step 204 includes associating ormatching, with a processor, identity data of the athlete with theathlete's profile image. Examples of identity data include, but are notlimited to, name and/or contact details such as address, phone numberand/or social media account information. The association or matching maybe performed by the athlete prior to the commencement of the sportingevent. Step 206 includes capturing, with an image collection device, adigital commencement image of the athlete as the athlete commences thesporting event. For example, referring to FIG. 2, as the athlete crossesstarting line 112, camera 106 a captures an image of the athlete. Step208 includes assigning a commencement time with athlete's commencementimage, for example, by time-stamping or tagging the image. Step 210includes capturing, with an image collection device, a digital finishimage of the athlete as the athlete finishes the sporting event. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, as the athlete crosses finish line114, one or more of cameras 106 b capture an image of the athlete. Step212 includes assigning a finish time with the athlete's finish image,for example, by time-stamping or tagging the image. Step 214 includesdetermining the athlete's race time by comparing, with a processor, thecommencement image and commencement time of the athlete with the finishimage and finish time of the athlete, and subtracting the commencementtime from the athlete's finish time. For example, commencement time fromthe time stamp associated with the commencement image may be subtractedfrom the finish time from the time stamp associated with the finishimage to obtain the athlete's race time. Step 216 includes identifyingthe athlete by comparing, with a processor, the profile image of theathlete with at least one of the athlete's commencement and finishimages. Preferably the step of identifying is conducted without the useof any timing chip or race number bib. Preferably, the step ofidentifying is conducted using only image recognition. In step 218, itis determined whether the athlete in a captured image has beenidentified. If the athlete has not been identified, then in step 220,one or more secondary methods of identification are used to identify theathlete. Examples of secondary methods include the use of a chip or racenumber (if worn), the use of a device which has been registered with thesystem such as a smartwatch, bracelet and/or eyewear, and/or use of mat130 as described above. If the athlete is identified, then the methodfurther includes forwarding at least one of the images captured duringthe sporting event to the athlete identified in the image over acommunications network. The method further preferably includes step 222of forwarding a link to the athlete identified in one of the imagescaptured during the sporting event and providing the athlete with anopportunity to purchase at least one image of the athlete identified inthe image. The method further preferably includes storing a purchasedimage of the athlete in an online database selectively accessible by theathlete.

It will be appreciated that the steps described above may be performedin a different order, varied, or some steps added or omitted entirelywithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, where asecondary identification method is utilized, the athlete may be asked toregister their own personal device (e.g., watch, eyewear, smartphone,bracelet) with the system prior to commencement of the competition. Theathlete may, for example, pre-register a device identification using aremote terminal over the internet with the system, and/or register thedevice onsite by using the on-board communications of the device toregister with an appropriate system interface, using, for example, NearField Communications (NFC), WLAN, Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi Direct. In apreferred embodiment, a wearable device relying on RFID technology fordevice identification is expressly excluded. Instead of using anathlete's particular commencement time in the determination of theathlete's race time, the commencement time may be assigned a defaultvalue of zero so that the athlete's race time is the actual race clocktime (i.e., the over-all race time). This may be suitable where thenumber of participants is small.

In another preferred embodiment, system 100 may form part of a webplatform accessible over a communications network by one or more clientcomputers and/or mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones,and/or wearable smart device. Electronic database 104 may be configuredto preferably maintain and store a plurality of user profiles 108 thatmay be populated by users over the internet. Each user profile 108preferably includes identification data and a profile image 110 of theuser preferably uploaded to the platform by the user.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the platform may be configured to permitmedia content providers to upload to electronic database 104 mediaspecific to a registered user, which the registered user may access oncelogged into the platform. For example, a third party, such as aphotographic company, may upload pictures taken of the registered userduring one of the competitions in which the registered userparticipated. Preferably, the pictures or photos are tagged (associated)with the individual or individuals in the photo. Photos may be tagged,for example, by noting a race number or other identifier worn by theperson in the photo, obtaining personal or contact details recorded withthe race number, and matching the person in the photo with the personalor contact details corresponding to the race number. Photos may also betagged (associated) with the individual or individuals in the photo byfacial recognition, and matching an image taken during an athletic eventwith an athlete's previously stored personal profile image. The uploadedphoto is preferably initially a “thumbnail” photo 134 (with embeddedlink) to the source or website of the entity providing the photo.

Matching a registered user of the platform with their photo ispreferably by competition; user name; area, postal, or zip code; andage, preferably in that order. In particular, the photo company wouldforward a listing to the platform of participants for a particular racewhere the company took photos. Processor 102 compares the list providedby the photo company against the listing of register users of theplatform. Positive matches are identified and a match list is createdand forwarded to the photo company. The photo company then provides thethumbnail photos and/or links for the positive matches to the platform,and those are associated with the registered users and/or subscribersusing the record identifiers of the registered users and/or subscribers.

Subsequently, the registered user may log into the platform and accessthe photos. The registered user may click on the “new” tab 132 and see acollection of their photos from different races. If the registered userand/or subscriber desires to purchase the photo, they may select theimage and/or link and go to the photo company's website to make thetransaction. The selection may be made by clicking or otherwiseinteracting with the image and/or link. Once purchased, the user maytransfer and/or download the photo to their digital photo album (underthe “photo album” tab 136). The media may be organized by registereduser, date and competition.

It will be appreciated that images other than thumbnail photos may beused, including icons or symbols. Preferably, the thumbnail photos arecopy-protected so that the registered user cannot copy without firstpurchasing them. If desired, the thumbnail image may be “unlocked” topermit the user to transfer it to the user's digital photo album.Alternatively, once purchased, the photo may be downloaded from thephoto company. In a preferred embodiment, the media available forpurchase is limited only to photos taken of the registered user during acompetition in which the registered user participated. In othersituations, a photo company might associate a video clip with aregistered user.

If desired, any commercial transaction to purchase the media may beconducted by the platform. For example, if a user is interested inpurchasing media content in which their image appears, the user mayaccess a link associated with the thumbnail image of interest. Theactivated link will bring the user to a page where the user may orderthe media. Thereafter, the user may select a delivery option, such ase-mailing the media content to the user's e-mail account, ortransferring the media content to a limited access area associated withthe user's account on the platform, such as photo album 136 in FIG. 5.

It will be appreciated that the media portal described above may beconfigured in a variety of ways. For example, instead of sending a matchlist to a third party media content provider, third party media contentproviders may send the media content, or a link to media content locallystored by the third party, to the platform, which will accept taggedmedia content or links which match users registered on the platform andreject tagged media content or links that do not match users registeredon the platform.

There are times when a third party media content provider has images ofunknown participants, either because a participant's race bib number istorn, missing or obscured. Processor 102 may be configured to receiveunpublished media content or images created at the athletic event by themedia content provider, compare the unpublished images from the athleticevent with the profile images of the registered users maintained by thedatabase, and generate a match list of participants whose images appearin the unpublished media content created at the athletic event and whoare registered users. Thus, third party media content providers mayidentify a participant and generate a purchasing opportunity whereotherwise the image may have gone to waste for lack of anyidentification of the participant.

A method for matching unpublished digital images created by a thirdparty at an athletic event with a participant in the event preferablyincludes the step 302 of storing a profile image of a user in a userprofile on an electronic database. In step 304, a plurality ofunpublished digital images created by the third party at the athleticevent, each unpublished image including at least one participant in theathletic event, are received at the web platform. Thereafter, it isdetermined, using processor 102, whether the participant in theunpublished image is the user by comparing the profile image of the userwith the participant in the unpublished image. The determination ispreferably made using facial recognition technology. In step 306, a listis generated of registered users who participated in the athletic eventwhere the unpublished digital images were created. In step 308, theprofile images of the registered users on the generated list arecompared, using processor 102, with the unpublished images created atthe athletic event to determine whether the participant in theunpublished image is the user. In step 310, it is determined, usingprocessor 102, whether the athlete in the unpublished image has beenidentified. The determination is preferably made without using a bibnumber. The determination is preferably made only using facialrecognition. If the athlete has not been identified, then theunpublished image is compared with one or more additional profile imagesuntil a match is made, or until there are no more profile images forcomparison. If the athlete in the unpublished image is identified and isa registered user, then in step 312, the registered user who has beenidentified as a participant in at least one of the unpublished images isprovided with an opportunity to purchase the image online. For example,a communication is sent to the registered user who has been identifiedas a participant in at least one of the unpublished images, thecommunication including a link to a payment gateway.

It will be appreciated that the steps described above may be performedin a different order, varied, or some steps added or omitted entirelywithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, wherean athlete has not been identified using a profile image stored in adatabase that is part of the web platform, a search may be conducted onthe internet for images matching the athlete in the unpublished image.Positive matches may then be used to identify the athlete in theunpublished image.

System 100 may be configured to automatically provide an athlete withtheir participation images as well as using images to time the athlete.For example, referring to FIG. 2, device 128 may be configured tooperate as a beacon. As the athlete approaches device 128, the athlete'swearable device detects a signal transmitted by a transmitter on device128. The athlete's wearable device then signals a communications hubhaving a transceiver and microprocessor at photo zone 118, whichinitiates an image capturing process by alerting camera 106 c of theapproach of the athlete. Camera 106 c captures the image of the athleteas the athlete passes through photo zone 118. The image captured bycamera 106 c is then uploaded to one or more of processor 102, theathlete's wearable device (if equipped with a receiver and memory), ordirectly to an online account associated with the athlete, such as asocial media account or photo album 136 (FIG. 5). The uploading of theimage may occur while the athlete is participating in the sportingevent, or after the athlete completes the sporting event. Captureddigital images may be delivered to the athlete in a variety of ways, forexample only, as a multimedia file sent by SMS, as an attachment to ane-mail, or by direct data upload to a previously provided internetdestination or account. Captured digital images may be merged (overlaid)with time and placement information if desired so that the athlete caneasily determine at what point during the sporting event the image wastaken.

Device 128 may be configured, if desired, as a sensor to detect theapproach of an athlete using an electronic identification broadcast fromthe athlete's wearable device as they approach photo zone 118. Upondetecting the approach of an athlete, device 128 signals thecommunications hub at photo zone 118 to initiate the image capturing anddelivery process described above. Contact details associated with theelectronic identification broadcast may be provided by the athlete priorto the sporting event, or after the sporting event.

The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be variedconsiderably without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Forexample only, if desired, the system may be used with a bib number as asecondary identification check. The system may be used with a timingchip if desired as a secondary timing check of the athlete's time. Thesystem may be used without a digital image collection device at thestart. In such a situation, the finish time may be determined byassuming the start time of the participant is zero and using theover-all clock time as the finish time of the participant. The systemmay be configured to digitalise photos or images from printed matter foruse in identifying participants in those photos or images.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments described above may beconfigured for use with non-digital images as needed. As an alternativeor supplement to secondary identification methods, an athlete may beidentified by post-event searching for a profile image of an athlete onthe internet. The post-event profile search may be conducted insituations where a pre-event athlete profile image is not suitable orsufficient for use in identifying the athlete an image captured duringthe sporting event.

If desired, as an alternative or supplement to obtaining a pre-eventprofile image to identify an athlete, identification of an athlete maybe obtained after the athlete finishes the competition. For example, oneor more images may be taken of the athlete after the athlete finishes,with the athlete providing their identification details to a terminaland/or person. This has the advantage of using an image in which theathlete's race-day attire is at least partially included in the photo incase the athlete's face is obscured in one of the timing images.

Non-stationary image collection devices may be utilized to captureimages during a sporting event. For example, images may be obtained froman athlete participating in the sporting event using a wearable cameraon either the top of the head, or as part of eyewear.

If desired, the system may be configured in a preferred embodiment tosearch the internet for images of the user in athletic events, andpopulate the user's personal profile on a web platform with one or moreof the images, which may be selectively added with the user'spermission. This technique may be used to discover the user'sparticipation in other athletic events and associate the user'sparticipation data (e.g., finishing time, place and/or splits) from suchevents with a personal athletic event history as part of the personalprofile. An example of a web platform having a database for maintainingan athlete's competition data is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,649,890,filed May 30, 2012, entitled “System and Method for Providing an Athletewith a Performance Profile,” the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

The platform may be configured for use with activities other thanrunning, cycling, swimming or multisport. For example only, the platformmay be configured for use with sports such as kayaking, crew, hiking,and other sports having a timed component in which a participant istimed.

Information or data normally stored at a physical location may be storedin the Cloud, considerably reducing the hardware needed for memoryrequirements often associated with large volumes of data.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied toother embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features ofother embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure. The present disclosure in one or more preferred formsprovides the advantages of timing multiple athletes without the need forbib numbers or timing chips, greatly simplifying the timing of multipleathletes by a timing company as well as making it easier for an athleteto compete without worrying about a timing label or device becomingdestroyed or lost during the sporting event. In another preferred form,the present disclosure provides the advantage of identifying images ofathletes previously unidentifiable using bib number technology, therebyenhancing the prospects of a photographer company to conduct a sale ofthe image to the athlete. In a further preferred form, the presentdisclosure inhibits the ability of athletes to cheat by switching chipsor bib numbers.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theembodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A platform for timing and identifying aparticipant in a sporting event, the platform comprising: a cameraconfigured to take a digital image of the participant as the participanttraverses a race course of the sporting event; a media databaseconfigured to store digital images; and a processor configured to:conduct a first identification using image recognition technology tocompare a pre-event image captured prior to commencement of the sportingevent and stored in said media database with an image of the participantwearing their race-day attire captured during the sporting event;conduct a second identification using a means for identifying theparticipant if the participant is not sufficiently identified after thefirst identification; and associate a finish time with the participantafter the participant completes traversing the race course.
 2. Theplatform of claim 1, wherein said means for identifying the participantincludes at least one of facial recognition technology, a timing chip,and a race number bib.
 3. The platform of claim 1, wherein the firstidentification involves a particular brand of shoe worn by theparticipant.
 4. The platform of claim 1, wherein the firstidentification involves a portion of clothing worn by the participant.5. The platform of claim 1, wherein the first identification involves asmartwatch worn by the participant.
 6. The platform of claim 1, whereinsaid camera is a video camera.
 7. The platform of claim 1, furthercomprising a sensor network configured to detect an item worn by theparticipant during the sporting event.
 8. The platform of claim 1,wherein a sensor of the sensor network is located proximate a photozone, said camera being configured to take the digital image of theparticipant as the participant passes through the photo zone.
 9. Amethod for timing and identifying a participant in a sporting event, theplatform comprising: storing digital images in a media database; taking,with a camera, a digital image of the participant as the participanttraverses a race course of the sporting event; conducting a firstidentification using image recognition technology to compare a pre-eventimage captured prior to commencement of the sporting event and stored insaid media database with an image of the participant wearing theirrace-day attire captured during the sporting event; conducting a secondidentification using a means for identifying the participant if theparticipant is not sufficiently identified after the firstidentification; and associating a finish time with the participant afterthe participant completes traversing the race course.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the conducting of the second identification includesusing at least one of facial recognition technology, a timing chip, anda race number bib.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprisingautomatically providing the participant with the digital image.
 12. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the camera is a video camera, furthercomprising providing the participant with a video clip.
 13. The methodof claim 9, wherein the conducting of the first identification includesusing a particular brand of shoe worn by the participant.
 14. The methodof claim 9, wherein the conducting of the first identification includesusing a portion of clothing worn by the participant.
 15. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the conducting of the first identification includesusing a smartwatch worn by the participant.
 16. A platform for timingand identifying a participant in a sporting event, the platformcomprising: a camera configured to take a digital image of theparticipant as the participant traverses a race course of the sportingevent; a media database configured to store digital images; and aprocessor configured to: conduct a first identification using imagerecognition technology to compare a pre-event image captured prior tocommencement of the sporting event and stored in said media databasewith an image of the participant wearing their race-day clothingcaptured during the sporting event, the first identification utilizing aportion of the race-day clothing without a bib number to conduct thefirst identification; conduct a second identification separately of thefirst identification using an identification device with circuitry forcommunicating an identity of the participant if the participant is notsufficiently identified after the first identification; and associate afinish time with the participant after the participant completestraversing the race course.
 17. The platform of claim 16, wherein saididentification device includes at least one of a timing chip, eyewear, asmartwatch, a bracelet, and a recognition mat.
 18. The platform of claim16, further comprising a sensor network configured to detect an itemworn by the participant during the sporting event.